Saratoga Springs Police Department releases its Code of Coduct in wake of suspension of three officers (WITH DOCUMENT)

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- The city police department released its Rules of Conduct this week in the wake of the suspension of three of its officers.

The officers were allegedly involved in an assault at a Caroline Street bar while they were off duty.

Police Chief Christopher Cole and Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen said release of the document, which outlines how officers should conduct themselves on and off duty, needed to be approved by the city attorney because it is an internal document.

"Obviously, there is nothing to hide there," Mathiesen said.

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"As a formality, all documents released by the police department are sent through the attorney," Cole said.

The department's policies, requested by The Saratogian through a Freedom of Information Act request placed earlier in the week, were released Thursday.

The request was placed after city officers Ed Braim, Mark Leffler and John Guzek were suspended without pay following a Nov. 12 assault outside a Caroline Street bar allegedly instigated by Braim.

All three men were suspended pending an investigation into whether they violated policies or procedures outlined in the Rules of Conduct.

Cole said Saturday that Guzek's suspension had already expired and that Leffler would be returning to work in the coming week.

Braim remains on suspension and is currently facing a misdemeanor assault charge as a result of the incident.

The 17-page Rules of Conduct document outlines everything from when officers can take their meal breaks, how they dress and grooming standards to their conduct toward the public and how and when they may exert their authority.

"I think the public is going to see that officers are subject to more rules and regulations than any normal member of the public," Cole said. "We have some very strict guidelines that dictate all sorts of behavior."

Neither Cole nor Mathiesen said they could discuss the particular policies that were violated. However, given the account from the police department about its criminal investigation of the assault, it seems there are instances of misconduct.

One section of the Rules of Conduct requires officers to report any violations of the law they witness.

On Nov. 12, though, the police were notified about the assault by the victim, not by Braim, who allegedly assaulted him, or by Leffler or Guzek, who were allegedly with Braim.

In addition, the department has a general requirement that officers conduct their private and public lives "in such a manner as to reflect most favorably upon themselves and the department. Conduct unbecoming of an officer shall include that which brings the department into disrepute or reflects discredit upon the officer ..."

There also are requirements governing alcohol consumption, though they are primarily in place to prohibit consumption while on duty.

However, one clause states that officers should not drink off-duty "to the extent that it may result in intoxication and obnoxious or offensive behavior that would discredit the officer or the department ..."

Whether or not the officers were intoxicated at Dango Fitzgerald's Irish Pub and Sports Bar on the night of the assault remains unclear.